Interior Design
The Many Ways to Rock Rose Gold
Learn how to use this blushing metallic with this look at fresh, fun palettes with just the right amount of shine
Colour choices for metals in the home have boldly expanded beyond basic silver and chrome. Splashes of copper, gold and warm brasses have returned to the mix. And now, a blushing rose gold is making decisions harder. This colour is popping up on everything from jewellery to mobile phones (thanks, Apple), with plenty of applications for home decor.
Here’s a great example of that point. A rose gold mirror creates a focal point in a simple white baby’s room with a pink chair. The contrasting textures in nearly the same colour elevate the style and simple colour scheme of the room.
Similarly, this pink-and-grey bedroom is subtly brought to life with the rose gold pendant, which echoes the pink textiles on the bed.
Design tip: When accessorising your pink-and-rose gold colour scheme, try using different textures to contrast with the shiny hard surface of the metal. This will offset any overly harsh or glaring aspects of your metallic accents, creating a softer look in the room.
Soft aqua
A pastel aqua or seafoam blue is an unexpected and stunning complement to rose gold. The soothing and refreshing quality of pale aqua allows the warmth of rose gold to shine, but the contrast is not too stark or dissonant. The underlying green and yellow tones of the aqua pick up on the golden tones of rose gold to bring out a sunny colour synergy.
A pastel aqua or seafoam blue is an unexpected and stunning complement to rose gold. The soothing and refreshing quality of pale aqua allows the warmth of rose gold to shine, but the contrast is not too stark or dissonant. The underlying green and yellow tones of the aqua pick up on the golden tones of rose gold to bring out a sunny colour synergy.
Design tip: When pairing rose gold with aqua, as in this kitchen, introduce warm tones of wood to enhance the honey colour of rose gold, or contrast with white to highlight the rose gold and aqua.
Neutrals That Let Rose Gold Shine
Gorgeous grey
Next to pink, grey is one of the most popular colours to coordinate with rose gold. This is in large part because the cool character of grey absorbs any garish elements of the rose gold. Next to orange, rose gold might look a bit more brassy and loud. Grey, by contrast, creates an elegant background that allows the subtler aspects of rose gold to shine.
Try using different shades of grey throughout the room to accompany your rose gold elements. From pale to dark, each piece will create layers of interest in your space – particularly if you use different textures – and highlight the rose gold accessories.
Gorgeous grey
Next to pink, grey is one of the most popular colours to coordinate with rose gold. This is in large part because the cool character of grey absorbs any garish elements of the rose gold. Next to orange, rose gold might look a bit more brassy and loud. Grey, by contrast, creates an elegant background that allows the subtler aspects of rose gold to shine.
Try using different shades of grey throughout the room to accompany your rose gold elements. From pale to dark, each piece will create layers of interest in your space – particularly if you use different textures – and highlight the rose gold accessories.
Design tip: Accompany your varied shades of grey with a stylish pastel like pink to further enhance the rosy glow in the room.
Smokey blue
If you’re looking for a bit more of a colour but still want a soothing grey tone for your room, try a smokey blue. Similar to grey, a smokey or Wedgwood blue is soothing when placed near rose gold. The cool tones of the blue allow the pink of the rose gold to radiate without seeming gaudy or glaring.
If you’re looking for a bit more of a colour but still want a soothing grey tone for your room, try a smokey blue. Similar to grey, a smokey or Wedgwood blue is soothing when placed near rose gold. The cool tones of the blue allow the pink of the rose gold to radiate without seeming gaudy or glaring.
Design tip: White is a wonderful colour to accessorise a smokey blue-and-rose gold palette. Here you can see how the white accessories add just a touch of visual excitement but allow both the coolness of the blue and the warmth of the rose gold to remain the focal point.
White walls
As a general rule, white is an excellent backdrop for rose gold, especially when you really want your rose gold to be the star attraction in the room. As is the case with most colour pairings, white doesn’t compete for attention, allowing the warmth of rose gold to shine. The result can be a serene palette with a pop of sunny glam.
How to decorate with rose gold
As a general rule, white is an excellent backdrop for rose gold, especially when you really want your rose gold to be the star attraction in the room. As is the case with most colour pairings, white doesn’t compete for attention, allowing the warmth of rose gold to shine. The result can be a serene palette with a pop of sunny glam.
How to decorate with rose gold
Design tip: If white or beige is the predominant colour of your room where rose gold accessories are featured, layer in other white objects of different shapes and textures. Keeping your tchotchkes white will allow rose gold to remain the featured hue in the room.
Warm wood
Wood is a well-suited companion to rose gold accents. Look to your wooden furniture or accessories as colours in your palette, rather than textures or finishes, when creating a scheme to surround your rose gold objects. The warm tones of most woods complement the golden and pink tones in rose gold. The organic texture of wood also softens the harder feel of this rosy metal.
Wood is a well-suited companion to rose gold accents. Look to your wooden furniture or accessories as colours in your palette, rather than textures or finishes, when creating a scheme to surround your rose gold objects. The warm tones of most woods complement the golden and pink tones in rose gold. The organic texture of wood also softens the harder feel of this rosy metal.
Design tip: To liven up a neutral palette of wood and rose gold, try adding just one colourful accent. A little colour will go a long way – as shown with the pink cushions in this space.
Bold Colours, for the Unafraid
Beautiful black
Go for a dramatic flair and pair your rose gold accessories with a black wall, furniture or larger accessories. The minimalism of black will highlight every shiny, rosy, metallic feature of your favourite rose gold accompaniments. This colour combo will most definitely create a standout feature in the room and a fabulous glamorous vibe.
Beautiful black
Go for a dramatic flair and pair your rose gold accessories with a black wall, furniture or larger accessories. The minimalism of black will highlight every shiny, rosy, metallic feature of your favourite rose gold accompaniments. This colour combo will most definitely create a standout feature in the room and a fabulous glamorous vibe.
When using black to coordinate your palette, be mindful of the amount of rose gold you showcase. Just the smallest accessory can make a large statement on a black backdrop. Using too many or large rose gold accessories might take over the room and create a frenzied, brassy atmosphere.
Design tip: Black is also a terrific accent colour in a rose gold palette paired with neutrals. Here the curved black leather chair and black throw pillow create a nice contrast to the warm tones of the rose gold and neutral accents.
Classic navy
When paired with most colours, navy presents a classic, timeless palette, and that holds true for navy and rose gold. As is the case with black and even grey, the light-absorbing nature of navy allows the glowing essence of rose gold to radiate without looking brash or brassy.
When paired with most colours, navy presents a classic, timeless palette, and that holds true for navy and rose gold. As is the case with black and even grey, the light-absorbing nature of navy allows the glowing essence of rose gold to radiate without looking brash or brassy.
Design tip: Less is always more when it comes to rose gold and a classic colour like navy. In this navy bedroom, you can see how just one rose gold accessory – in this case, the light fixture – catches your eye but doesn’t altogether detract from the highly styled bed.
Dazzling metallic decor
Dazzling metallic decor
Bright yellow
For a sunny palette, try partnering yellow with a splash of rose gold accessories. The golden undertones of the yellow will pull out more of the radiant nature of rose gold, creating a brilliant and fun palette. Any shade of yellow works fairly well with rose gold – it’s like pairing yellow and orange.
When pairing rose gold and yellow, opt for a neutral background. This photo shows a perfect example of how a neutral grey room is brightened with just a small dose of yellow in the form of cushions. The complementary rose gold pendants add just the right amount of glow to make a glam statement but not take over the entire room.
For a sunny palette, try partnering yellow with a splash of rose gold accessories. The golden undertones of the yellow will pull out more of the radiant nature of rose gold, creating a brilliant and fun palette. Any shade of yellow works fairly well with rose gold – it’s like pairing yellow and orange.
When pairing rose gold and yellow, opt for a neutral background. This photo shows a perfect example of how a neutral grey room is brightened with just a small dose of yellow in the form of cushions. The complementary rose gold pendants add just the right amount of glow to make a glam statement but not take over the entire room.
Design tip: Try adding a pale blue to your yellow-and-rose gold palette. A few pale blue accessories or a blue wall will tone down the yellow while still highlighting the rosy glow of your metal accessories.
TELL US
Have you used rose gold in your interiors scheme? Tell us what you’ve paired it with, or upload photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Copper Crush: Get a Touch of Rose Gold in Your Home With These Pendants
TELL US
Have you used rose gold in your interiors scheme? Tell us what you’ve paired it with, or upload photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Copper Crush: Get a Touch of Rose Gold in Your Home With These Pendants
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Pastels That Bring Out the Glow
Pale pink
Let’s start with the obvious winner, pink. When it comes to a seamless pairing, pink and rose gold are a marriage made in heaven. After all, ‘rose gold’ is pretty much just another way of saying ‘pink gold’. So when you add a metallic pink to a room with a non-metallic pink, the two pieces play off each other to create a brilliant layer of the same colour.